1. In Vietnam….America’s Escalation into war

2. 1965 – Vietcong attack at Airbase Pleiku
The War Escalates
1964 – Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – Results in massive airstrikes in N. Vietnam
1965 – Vietcong attack at Airbase Pleiku
Seven Marines died
President LBJ orders Operation Rolling Thunder
Increased bombing in N. Vietnam

3. However, by mid-1965 America’s role in Vietnam is still defensive
This created a problem..
Needs to protect American airbases
LBJ sends two Marine battalions
American fighting force  75,000
However, by mid-1965 America’s role in Vietnam is still defensive
March 30th 1965 Vietcong explode car bomb in Saigon
Along w/ other attacks the need for more troops is needed.

4. Troop count will increase from 75,000 to 150,000 immediately
LBJ Escalates War
Troop count will increase from 75,000 to 150,000 immediately
American Troops will now begin active combat roles  no longer just defensive
The Draft call which was 17,000 over a five month span will increase to 35,000 monthly
By end of 1965 there will be more than 250,000 troops in Vietnam

5. The War Changes Battle of Ia Drang First American offensive attack
Three days of incredibly hard fighting
Roughly 1,500 NVA were killed
Roughly 500 Americans were killed
10:1 kill ratio
This single battle changes the course of the war  war of attrition

6. Battle of Ia Drang changed the scope of battle
New objective  Search and Destroy
The war would be won by body count not land taken
Hard for troop and people back home to see who’s winning  Creates the “Creditability Gap”

7. The Turning Point Tet Offensive
NVA & Vietcong launch massive offensive strike on multiple American targets
Americans fought off attack
However  While American military victory it was a total victory for the NVA & Vietcong psychology & politically
The War took a turn for the worse

8. The War Shifts
LBJ realizes the disaster that Tet created
Denies running for President in1968
Richard Nixon wins Presidency
Puts forth new policy  Vietnamization

9. Peace With Honor
As promised by his campaign Nixon started withdrawing troops from Vietnam
America over the next four years would withdraw all troops and exit Vietnam
Would not end good for America and be seen as an embarrassment